By Jennifer Giering
President
Dearborn Chamber of Commerce
Many of us have heard “shop local” or “buy local,” but few of us consider the potential impact our dollars can make this holiday season.
We have bicycle shops and ski stores, bakeries and gift shops and fabulous specialty stores including Sophia’s Giftique, Village Picture Frame and Merchants Fine Wine. How about a spa gift certificate to Milans on Monroe, Om Spa, Silvia on Monroe or The Great Escape Salon and Spa?
Looking for a unique, hand-crafted work or art? Try shopping at the Holiday Show at Furnace Design Studio/The Glass Academy Dec. 4 and 5.
The gift that keeps on giving would include a membership to any of the aforementioned attractions or season tickets to The Players Guild of Dearborn or the Dearborn Symphony.
Or perhaps you can give the most sought after gift this holiday season – the gift of time. Grab groceries at Alcamo’s Market and some flowers at English Gardens and spend some much deserved quality time with loved ones, or meet up at your favorite restaurant for a holiday lunch or dinner and let someone else do the cooking.
This year saw the first national campaign to drive business to local shops and restaurants the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which has been named Small Business Saturday.
In addition, a coalition of statewide groups is issuing a Shop Michigan Downtown Holiday Challenge to all Michigan residents. The Shop Michigan Downtown Holiday Challenge asks individuals and organizations to do at least 75 perent of their shopping this holiday season in downtowns and Michigan main street districts.
According to www.the350project.net, for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. Imagine the impact if one person spent $50 in just three locally owned store this holiday?
Second to buying locally here in Dearborn, try to keep your shopping dollars here in Michigan, supporting products and food made right here in our state. It is more difficult than ever to maintain a business in this economic climate and it is up to us to support our friends and neighbors here in Dearborn.
If you need recommendations or ideas, please call the chamber offices Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5 p.m. at (313) 584-6100. Santa’s helpers are standing by. Or you can simply go to www.dearbornchamber.org for more gift giving ideas.
Happy shopping.